Adjustable gravity-latch.



No. 7|2,|45. Patented out'. '28, |902. n. E. mLLER.

- ADJUSTABLE GRAVITY LATCH.

(Application led Feb. 8. 1902.)

(No Model.)

yfff f h 70 ll i477/ y UNrTED STATES [PATENT FFICE.

ROBERT E. MILLER, OF RUSSELLVILLE, ARKANSAS.

ADJ USTAB LE G RAVITY-LATCH.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 712,145, dated October 28, 1902. Application filed February 8. 1902. Serial No. 93,192. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern/f Be it known that I, ROBERT E. MILLER, Lacitizen of the United States, residing at Russellville, in the county of .Pope and State of Arkansas, have invented 'a new and ,useful Adjustable Gravity-Latch, of which the following is a specification. Y

This invention relates to gravity-latches, especially adapted for use on gates and the ioors of outbuildings, such as barns and the ike.

The object of the invention is to` provide a latch which will be automatic in latching, simple in construction, effective in operation, and which may be adjusted to change the latch from a right to a left handed latch and the reverse and to cause the catch to engage the plate in a greater or less degree.

Figure l of the accompanying drawings represents a perspective view of a gate and its post, showing this improved latch applied thereto. Fig. 2 represents a front elevation of the latch in operative position and detached from the gate, the catch being shown in transverse section'. Fig. 3 represents a top plan view of the latch applied, the gate and its post being shown in transverse sec- The same reference-numerals indicate'corresponding'parts in all the figures.

This improved adjustable gravity latch may be applied either to the inside or to the outside of gates or barn or other doors.V

The device is shown applied to the inside of a gate, and the plate 30, carrying the catch 40, is secured to the inside outer 'upright l1 of the swinging gate member lO by means of screws passing through slots therein and entering the post or upright l1. The angular plate 50 is secured to the post or stationary member 20 by means of screws passing through slots therein and entering the post, so that the gate on swinging to will cause the latch carried thereby to strike the projecting member of the plate 50 and rise,

passing in front of the said member and locking the gate. The catch member of this latch comprises a plate 30, having adjusting-slots 3l and 32 extending transversely thereacross, preferably at the top and bottom thereof. A hollow or trough-like arm 33 is rigidly attached to the front face of the plate 30 and entends vat right angles therefrom and is adapted to support the catch 40, pivoted therein. This arm 33 has an approximately triangular plate or ear 34 attached to the outerend thereof and projecting upwardly some distance above the trough. This plate has a perforation 34 therein, disposed in the same plane as a perforation .30 in the plate 30, through which apintle 35 is adapted to pass. This pintle 35 isy designed to serve as a hinge for the catch 40, as will hereinafter be described. The catch 40l is preferably made with a straight vertical side 4l and an inclinedside 42, beveled on both sides thereof, the catchbeing approximately in the form of a right-angle triangle pivoted at its base bythe-pintle 35, passing through the perforated ears 43 and 44 thereof. The catch 40 is preferably cut out at its lower edge between the ears 43 and 44 at 45 and is provided with lugs or stops 46 and 47 on opposite "sides thereof for limiting the downward movement of the catch 40 in either direction. These stops are preferably formed by a semioircular segment passing aroundthe lower edge of the catch 40 and projecting at oppo site sides thereof to form the stops 46 and 47. A countersunk washer is disposed on the retaining-screw 61 'forlimiting the upward movement of the catch and preventing it from reaching a vertical position, which, if reached, would ca'useit toref use to drop back readily. The latch may be changed from a right to a left handed latch or the reverse by moving the Washer 60 and screw 6l from one side to the other of the catch 40. A brace 70 is preferably disposed Vunder the arm 33 for supporting it more securely. The slots in the plate 50 enable it to be adj usted back and forth to meet and operate with the catch 40. The slots 3l and 32 in the plate 30 serve also to adjust the catch 40n to or away from the plate 50, so that the catch willengage said plate in a greater or less degree, as desired.

When the latch is used on the outside of vgates or doors, a straight plate 50' is used and is provided with the transverse adjustingslots 43 and 44', by means of which it is fastened to the swinging gate member l0. The catch-carrying member is screwed onto the outside of post or stationary member 2O and acts in the same manner as when used on the IOO inside. The catch 40, coming into contact with the plate 50', locks the gate, and the plate 50 being plain and straight vfrom end to end needs no adjustment for lowering or raising, which is the main principle claimed for this latch.

I claim as my inventionl. A device of the class described comprising a plate or support, and a catch pivotally connected at its lower end with the plate or support and normally arranged at an inclination, said catch being provided with means for limiting its movement in either direction and being arranged to operate at either side of the plate or support to form a reversible latch, substantially as described.

2. A device ot' the class described comprising a plate or support, an inclined catch pivoted at its lower end to the plate or support and arranged to swing to either side of the same and provided with means for engaging the plate or support to limit its downward movement when it is at either side of the same, and removable means for confining the catch at either side of the plate or support, substantially as described.

3. A device of the class described comprising a plate having an arm extending outward at right angles and provided with a perforated ear, and a catch pivoted between the ear and the plate and provided at opposite sides with means for engaging the arm for supporting the catch in an inclined position at either side of the arm, substantially as described.

4. A device of the class described comprising a plate having an arm extending outward at right angles and provided with an ear, a catch pivoted between the plate and the ear and provided at its bottom with oppositelydisposed lugs having beveled edges for engaging the arm to limit the downward movement of the catch, and means for limiting the upward swing of the catch to confine chelatter at either side of the arm, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto axed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

ROBT. E. MILLER.

Vitnesses:

JOHN M. HATLEY, J W. ALBRIGHT. 

